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| Kids still not getting enough exercise |
| Health |
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Parents concerned that their children are spending too much time watching television, playing video games or at the computer are being urged to consider ways to make physical activity more of a family affair, Canadian Press reported. “Rather than . . . watching television together, we’d say just schedule time in perhaps before dinner or right after dinner and have a little bit of family time that’s physically active,” said Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of ParticipAction. According to the latest annual report card by Active Healthy Kids Canada on the physical activity levels of Canada’s children and youth, 87 per cent of them fell below the recommended minimum of 90 minutes a day. That is actually a slight improvement over 2006, when 91 per cent did not reach the target. The report card noted that only 10 per cent of young people were below the recommended maximum of less than two hours a day sitting in front of computers, video games and TVs. For most, screen time was closer to six hours a day – three times more than recommended. Active Healthy Kids Canada’s Mark Tremblay believes part of the problem lies with teachers and parents who choose to sacrifice children’s play time in favour of more time studying – without realizing that physical activity and better grades go together. “We can’t suppress the natural energy of kids. We need to help them exert that energy,” he told CTV News. “And the evidence suggests that will improve their academic performance.” Tremblay added that contrary to what parents might claim, the research shows that they can, if they wish, find the time to come alongside their kids in some physical activity. “When we ask parents how much time they spend recreationally in front of the screen, it averages two to three hours per day,” he said. “Well, that’s more than enough time to get to the park and play with the kids or get in the driveway or backyard to play catch.” Active Healthy Kids Canada also encourages parents not to drive their children to and from school. It points out that close to two-thirds of families live within a reasonable walking or biking distance from their local schools. |
